The Rhythm Societys Annual

Campout
August 5-7, 2016
Sierra Meadows
46516 Opah Drive
Ahwahnee, CA 93601
Gates open: Friday, August 5th
@ 2pm
Gates close: Sunday, August 7th
@ 6pm
http://opencampout.weebly.com

OPEN
The Rhythm Society invites you to join us for our annual campout.
Once per year, we come together with our community, loved
ones and honored guests to spend a long weekend in dance,
celebration and togetherness. All are welcome (even puppies!).
This years theme is Open.
Celebrating some of the concepts we embrace in the Rhythm
Society (RS), the Open Campout is about having an open heart
and an open mind so that:
We can open doors for each other to be our true selves (at
least for the weekend)
We can be open to empathy, sympathy and love.
Collectively, we can be open to share the beautiful, ugly and
real that resides in all of us.
Together, well create a space (like we do in the RS) that is safe,
awesome and fun - a space out in the open. We'll also dance,
dance, dance!

Directions and Ride Sharing

The latest and best information can be found on the website:

http://opencampout.weebly.com/locationrideshare.html

Directions:
Just over 3 hours from Oakland by car
Take Highway 99 south to Merced and then take Highway 140
approximately 37 miles east into Mariposa. From Highway 140, turn
right onto Highway 49 and proceed 24 miles east toward Oakhurst.
Look for a Sierra Meadows billboard on your right. Turn left onto
Harmony Lane and veer right onto Opah Drive. Proceed 2.7 miles (just
past the entry to the RV Park) to the Sierra Meadows Clubhouse for
check-in. Please DO NOT take Road 621 off Highway 49 it is a dirt
road. From Highway 49 take Harmony Lane to Opah Drive instead.
Make a left off of Opah Drive toward the Sierra Meadows Country Club.
You'll meet a greeter when you arrive to help you park and get started
on the fun. There is ample parking near the venue.

Tickets
You do NOT have to print out your ticket. Your name will be on an
attendee list at the gate. All guests must be on the list in order to enter
the event. Most of you will not have to worry about this - if you have
ordered your ticket through the Constant Contact ticket site and have
received a confirmation email of your order. If you have purchased a
ticket from someone else, you must inform the event organizers
from whom you purchased it so that your name can be placed on the
attendees list at the gate. Please dont drive 3+ hours only to be
turned away!
If you still need to purchase tickets for yourself or your guests, you
may do so here:
http://opencampout.weebly.com/tickets.html

Amenities
Sierra Meadows is a really nice place. They have a pool, hot tub, hot
showers, men's and women's locker rooms, cabins, RV park, outdoor
grill for cooking and more... Pack to take advantage of these great
perks.

Once you arrive

If youre in a cabin or RV, youll need to turn around and go to the
RV/Cabin area. If you are tent camping, youll park and find a mule (a
friendly person driving a golf cart) to take you and your stuff down to
the camping area. (see map below).

Smoking/Fire/Camp stoves
You may only smoke or have fire in the designated area on the patio by
the clubhouse - never at your campsite or anywhere else. The risk of
starting a wildfire is just too high.

ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS (ECs)

Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the following
ECs. If you are inviting guests, please make sure that you send this
letter to them to ensure that they are familiar (and on board) with
these ECs:

The Rhythm Society strives to create a safe environment for the

exploration of spirit in all its forms.
We ask each of our guests to be mindful, so that ones own
exploration does not impinge on that of another.
Rhythm Society celebrations strive to attract a diverse mix of
people. Some of our guests might be new to an all weekend
dance environment, and we ask everyone for their sensitivity in
helping create a comfortable climate for everyone.

o This is a central theme of OPEN. Please ensure you and

your guests approach OPEN with an open heart and open
mind.
Smoking is ONLY allowed in the designated smoking areas.
Finally, please be respectful of the venue and the land upon
which our celebration will take place, and remember that we are
governed by the laws of the jurisdictions in which our event is
taking place.

Dogs
OPEN is open to dogs. However, only a limited number can attend so
please contact an organizer if you're planning to bring your canine
sweetie. If you have not checked in with us, you may not be able to
enter with your dog.
For many of us, dogs bring out our most loving and accepting selves. If
you are considering bringing your fabulous little (or big) dog, keep in
mind the following:
You are responsible for your dog for the entirety of your stay at
OPEN.
o This means cleaning up after your dog.
o Providing a safe space and human care for your dog when
youre not together.
If your dog has trouble interacting with people or other dogs you
probably dont want to bring your dog.
If you are not taking care of your dog or your dog becomes a
problem, you may be asked to leave.

High Altar
I think that we are like stars. Something happens to burst us open; but
when we burst open and think we are dying; were actually turning into
a supernova. And then when we look at ourselves again, we see that
were suddenly more beautiful than we ever were before!
C. JoyBell
Contribute to the inspirational glow of our Starfield High Altar by
bringing items to the altar that inspire you to open your body, mind
and heart. Over the course of the weekend we will dance in a celestial
sphere of our shared love, hope and healing. We are a gravitationally
bound group of dreamers, creators and givers.
Visit the Starfield High Altar at Open and share the realizations that
emerge with your willingness to go into all your emotions. It is painful
when life falls apart and we feel torn with fear, hatred, anger and
despair. Sometimes something better can fall into place when we see
the shadow and feel the light.
Wish upon the stars at our Starfield High Altar as you take a stand for
your values and pry yourself open to the whole voice that is you. At
open you have the freedom to align with your deepest desires, heal
your wounds and share your joy.

To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if

you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to
bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more
dance to it. -Osho

Food
Not only is the Open Campout about having an open heart and an open
mind, but also an open mouth and happy tummy!
Please take a moment to read & understand some guidelines set forth
by our hosts, Sierra Meadows & the OPEN team to make this a tasty
and awesome campout!
Our hard working food team will be there to fill your openness with
coffee, tea, chai, snacks, two breakfasts (on Saturday and Sunday),
potlucks and big smiles! Drinking water will be provided. Well also
have some juices and milk (with both dairy and non-dairy options). Full
details are provided below.
When it comes to food, please treat this adventure like you are going
camping. Specifically, bring ready-to-eat or to grill camping food and
drinks with you, and keep them in coolers and bags in your
tents/cabins.

Details
Unlike the Retreat, the campout is a bigger adventure, which is open to
properly sponsored non-RS folks. Everyone is expected to be selfsufficient and bring their own food and drinks. With that said, we need
to have some rules when it comes to kitchen use and food prep. We
thank you in advance for your understanding and adherence.
The staff at Sierra Meadows has asked that only volunteer crew
members be allowed in the kitchen. Please help us in respecting that
request.
1. Keep your food and drinks in your tents/cabins or in the
designated space near the cooking area. Please, please do not ask
to store your stuff in the kitchen. We simply cant allow that.
2. The kitchen and kitchen refrigerators are NOT for personal
use.
The kitchen refrigerators will be reserved for RS-supplied food only.
Only scheduled food volunteers are allowed to go into the refrigerators
during their shift (there are two refrigerators in the caf that are first
come first serve).
3. Please do not prep your personal food in the kitchen.

Food prepping in the kitchen is reserved for the scheduled food crew
only! Rest assured, we are in the process of arranging prep kitchen
stations for your use outside.
4. Yes, you can grill your food on Saturday.
We will have a grill master firing up and tending the grills from noon
3pm and 4pm 7pm.
5. Breakfasts are provided on Saturday and Sunday.
The food crew will be serving yummy continental breakfasts to
replenish and refuel our dancers starting at 8am on Saturday and
Sunday mornings. Yes, there will be BACON among other scrumptious
delights! These are the only two meals that we will serve at OPEN.
6. Snacks will be provided.
Fruit, cheese, crackers, dips, chips, and sweets are among the treats to
keep you dancing and playing throughout the weekend.
7. Potluck on Friday night!
There is a potluck on Friday night starting at 7 pm. Please bring a
dinner item (or two) to share with your community. I know it is hard
sometimes to remember, but please try to label your dish. Make a sign
and bring it with you. Include the ingredients, in case someone has
allergies to one of them.

What to bring
Tent (unless youre staying in a cabin or RV)
sleeping bag and/or bedding
warm clothes for night time
flashlight /headlamp
as much shade as you can (no stakes longer than 6" please).
Food
Utensils
plates/bowls
non-glass drinking vessels for hot and cold beverages
The town of Oakhurst is a short drive away if you forget anything.

Events

Check the website for times and details.

http://opencampout.weebly.com/
Friday

Pool party w/ awesome DJs 3:30-7:30

Potluck dinner @ 7pm bring a dish or two to share (see food)

Main stage w/ stupendous DJs 9-2am

Saturday

Breakfast starting @ 8am. Eat and be merry courtesy of the

food team

Pool party w/ miraculous DJs noon-7:30

Story time @ 2pm (Caf/Chill) Share a story that helped make

who you are or just any story. Sign up to tell a story by
contacting an organizer.

Clothing Swap @ 4pm (Caf/Chill) Bring some nice that would

be perfect for another camper

Twerkshop @ 5pm (Main Dance Room) We can't describe the

awesomeness that awaits you

Belly Dance w/ Zephira @ 5:30 (Main Dance Room) Come

learn some belly dance basics and be prepared to wow people
with your magical moves! No previous experience necessary.
Lots of fun guaranteed :-)

Opening ceremony @ 9:00 - 9:15pm - What will happen here?

Main stage til dawn w/magical DJs - 9:15 - 6am

Sunday

Breakfast starting @ 8am. Eat and be merry courtesy of the

food team

Pool party w/ funtastic DJs 11-2pm

Departures - make your escape before 6pm

See you
at Sierra
Meadows